DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Junior transfer David Butler announced his presence on the Embry-Riddle men's basketball  team with authority, posting a 30-point, 18-rebound double-double to lead the Eagles to a 100-77 win over Montreat in ERAU's season-opener, Friday at the ICI Center. Butler and the three other Embry-Riddle big men – Brett Rawlings, Eric Lorenzi and Ryan Christian – accounted for 67 of the 14th-ranked Eagles' 100 points as Embry-Riddle celebrated Homecoming 2009.

The Eagles raced out to an 8-0 lead to start the game with Butler scoring the first six points. The Eagles' high-pressure defense in the first half held the Cavaliers scoreless over the first four minutes. Tyler Buff finally broke through with a lay-up for Montreat and a three-pointer on the next possession to pull the Cavaliers to within three at the 15:51 mark. But that was a close as they would get as a pair of Rawlings free throws started an 18-8 Eagle run en route to 51-33 lead at the half.

The Eagles launched an offensive barrage to start the second half, scoring 12 unanswered points to extend the lead to 30. After struggling from beyond the arc in the first half, shooting only 28.6 percent, the Blue and Gold found its rhythm from long range in the second period, connecting on six of 11 (54.5 percent) three-pointers on their way to the 23-point win.

Rawlings also recorded a double-double with 12 points and 13 boards, while Lorenzi finished with 18 points and eight rebounds. Christian came off the bench to contribute seven points.

Terrell Mosley totaled 20 points to pace the Cavaliers who fall to 0-2 on the year. Matt Rushing, Dustin Harris and Seth Moore each had double-digit scoring nights for Montreat, scoring 15, 12 and 11 points, respectively.

The Eagles play the first contest in a three-game road swing at 7 p.m. on Tuesday when they travel to Temple Terrace, Fla. to take on Florida College. The Blue and Gold will then travel to California to compete in the Cougar Classic being hosted by Azusa Pacific on Friday and Saturday. All games on the roadtrip will be carried live on 1380-AM and on the web at http://www.wele1380.com.